Hi everyone. I am currently on the waiting list for gastric bypass but I'm switching to the lap band. I have no medical problem beside being obese. I feel as though getting the gastric bypass would be more for my vanity then anything else. The lap band makes me feel more comfortable like it's going to help me control my eating. And I was wanting to hear from people who have had it. What is it like? Can you feel your port? Does it hurt when they fill the port every month or how ever often they fill it??? Can your husband fill your port? How much weight are people loosing? And how fast are you loosing it? Any complications people have suffered??

I know it's quite a few questions...but I need knowledge!!

I'm 22yrs old 5ft and 217lbs. BMI of 42.2

Thanks so much

Ashley

Hi everyone. I am currently on the waiting list for gastric bypass but I'm switching to the lap band. I have no medical problem beside being obese. I feel as though getting the gastric bypass would be more for my vanity then anything else. The lap band makes me feel more comfortable like it's going to help me control my eating. And I was wanting to hear from people who have had it. What is it like? Can you feel your port? Does it hurt when they fill the port every month or how ever often they fill it??? Can your husband fill your port? How much weight are people loosing? And how fast are you loosing it? Any complications people have suffered??

I know it's quite a few questions...but I need knowledge!!

I'm 22yrs old 5ft and 217lbs. BMI of 42.2

Thanks so much

Ashley

You are young and if you are willing to modify your eating habits, then the band is probably a good choice for you. I really wish it had been around and a choice for me even 10 years ago. I LOVE my band. Now to answer some of your questions...

• I don't realize my band is there unless I am eating or getting a fill
  
• I can feel my port, but my husband doesn't really unless I make him by saying, "hey, feel my port, cool huh?"
  
• I have only had 2 fills in 6 months and both were painless
  
• I have been losing about 10 lbs per month
  
• no complications until i had my hysterectomy 5 weeks ago and became too tight, not the band's fault, I should've gotten an unfill even though I was told I wouldn't need it.
  

Any more questions, feel free to ask.

I was at the lower range of weight when I got the surgery - 34.8 BMI so with the pre-op liquid diet I was 196 going into surgery. After the surgery I lost about 13 pounds and yes, I could feel my port after about 2 weeks. You don't want anyone but a medical professional who is experienced with fills to do them. Do they hurt? My first one did because he couldn't find the center of the port. The second one didn't - he found the center right off. You will get fills on a schedule that relates to your weight loss - if you are losing you will not get another fill until you stop losing or reach goal. I just got my second fill. I have not lost any weight since my surgery. Maybe this second fill will help because now I cannot eat much - it just hurts to eat. And I am eating soft foods and liquids. Be prepared to give up: carbonated drinks, any drink with calories, caffeine, bread, pasta, pizza, raw vegetables, some fruits, popcorn, sweets and snack type food. I am not saying all of these will cause problems for you. For some they don't. But you need to know in advance that they might for you and you might never be able to have them again. You also can't drink with your meals or for an hour afterward and have to be committed to at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Hope this helps and congratulations on taking the first step. Good luck.

You are young and if you are willing to modify your eating habits, then the band is probably a good choice for you. I really wish it had been around and a choice for me even 10 years ago. I LOVE my band. Now to answer some of your questions...

• I don't realize my band is there unless I am eating or getting a fill
  
• I can feel my port, but my husband doesn't really unless I make him by saying, "hey, feel my port, cool huh?"
  
• I have only had 2 fills in 6 months and both were painless
  
• I have been losing about 10 lbs per month
  
• no complications until i had my hysterectomy 5 weeks ago and became too tight, not the band's fault, I should've gotten an unfill even though I was told I wouldn't need it.
  

Any more questions, feel free to ask.

Thank you so much for the info. Congrats on your progress!!

Also Anyone gotten pregnant with the lap band?? I'm not done having kids yet so I wanna know what happens or what it's like!

Thank you so much for the info. Congrats on your progress!!

Also Anyone gotten pregnant with the lap band?? I'm not done having kids yet so I wanna know what happens or what it's like!

There are a few on here that are pregnant now. Some get a complete unfill, and some don't. It is probably safest to get an unfill, due to possible morning sickness. All that can cause your band to get too restricted.

I am fairly newly banded but have done research for over 5 years (when just newly introduced to the US) and have been to support groups and talked to many people who have had the band. The biggest misconception for me was giving up bread and diet soda. I was told I couldn't have either. While I have given up the soda, I wouldn't have had to. Don't get excited quite yet:tongue2: The only way I could've had it (which was discouraged but not 100% forbidden) was to take the carbonation out of it. I know that sounds gross, but when the need hits, I have a few sips and I'm good. I haven't had the urge to have one at all, and I used to drink 3-5 per day for over 20 years

As far as bread, this one really killed me. I am Sicilian and you might as well have told me to cut off all my appendages just as willing as I would be give up bread:drool: Some people cannot tolerate bread, some cannot tolerate pasta, some rice, etc. Everyone is different. But you will now know until you try for yourself. I have had tiny bits of bread and have had no issues whatsoever...knock on wood, but only time will tell.

Congrats on doing this before you gain more weight, you've got a great head start!!:thumbup:

I just read your post and I can't speak to most of your questions because I was banded just 7 days ago. I can say that I am similar in that I didn't have any health issues other than weight. What helped me decide to get the lap band was the prospect of getting a weight related disease.

My dad just got diagnosed with diabetes and osteoporosis. My mom started taking high blood pressure meds and I saw where I was heading, but I was younger. Don't see it as vanity, see it as a precautionary method before you end up with diseases brought on by weight.

Now I feel like I will be alive and healthy longer to spend with my husband and future kids.

Anyone: I too am new to this forum, and I hope I will be banded early this Spring. Why do we have to give up soda water and coffee?

the What is it like? Can you feel your port? Does it hurt when they fill the port every month or how ever often they fill it??? Can your husband fill your port? How much weight are people loosing? And how fast are you loosing it? Any complications people have suffered??

I know it's quite a few questions...but I need knowledge!!

I'm 22yrs old 5ft and 217lbs. BMI of 42.2

Thanks so much

Ashley

1. No I cannot feel my port, but I don't go looking for it either
   
2. I have had three fills at the office and I have not felt any pain, not have I had any bruising
   
3. I get a fill every month if I need one
   
4. I have never vomited, been stuck, nor have I Bp or slimed
   
5. I have lost 33 pounds so far. I was banded 11/11/08
   
6. My spleen bled during surgery and I had an issue with pain meds, which required I stayed in the hospital for 2.5 days.
   
7. I exercise at least 5X a week for 60-minutes
   
8. I have lots of energy, losing lots of inches and dropped three pant sizes.
   
9. I am 5'5" started out at 253 and I am now 220
   

I have no regrets. I would do it all over again!

Good luck!

Hello I a new also, I signed up today becasue I am having getting the LapBand on February 17, 2009. I started this whole process December 18, 2008. I work with 3 ladies that had the surgery in June 2008. All 3 ladies have a lost about 42 lbs. I have high blood pressure, high chloestrol. I am 5'1 and my weight is 190 lbs. I have a bad foot, degenerative disk and 2 herniated disk in my back from a fall 2 years ago. I feel if I lost some weight this will take pressure off my feet and my back, then I will be able to exercise. I had foot surgery back in June and I don't want to go through that again and I do not want back surgery. To me this just made sense. I know this will be very hard, but I am very excited.:thumbup:

So I don't know if I can answer everything because I was just banded on 1/16..but I'll answer what I can. First, I've lost 24lbs so far.. now from what my dr told me today (my first post op appointment) that is a lot, but not impossible. Secondly, I feel my port but I'm not fully healed. My husband doesn't want to touch it he got the surgery Tuesday, so he has his own. lol. :scared:

My number one question when going in was about being able to have more kids the dr told me he discourages getting pregnant for 1-2 years so you can lose your weight first, but he said once I did get pregnant he'd work with my OB and most likely un-fill the band completely.

I can only speak for myself, but it's been 2 weeks and I would do it all over again tomorrow. This has truely changed my life. Good luck to you!! :thumbup:

Hi GordoNoMore. I didn't have to give up coffee but was told never to drink carbonated beverages again. Every doctor is different and so are their instructions. You just have to follow what your doctor tells you. As for foods - some can tolerate things that others can't. It's kind of experimental until you figure out what you and your band can eat. And even then, I can have no problems with a food one day and can't eat it the next. My band is a bit moody. Good luck to you!!!!! Becky

Anyone: I too am new to this forum, and I hope I will be banded early this Spring. Why do we have to give up soda water and coffee?

I think the reasoning behind giving up soft drinks is the carbonation can stretch your pouch. My surgeon said definitely no caffeine, because it can stimulate hunger....I said "it is my only vice", so I drink it anyway. I have been drinking it since I was 2, it doesn't make me hungry.

Thank you all for your responses to my concerns. This makes me feel good about what I am getting myself into, and makes it easier to stick to my goal of losing 5% of my body weight to get the VA Dr. to put me on the list for this Spring. Again, Thank you to everybody. art, a friend of Jesus.